Eco-labeling in Latin America: Providing a scientific foundation for consumer confidence in market-based conservation strategies

Abstract

Market-based conservation strategies have been proposed to encourage more sustainable and environmentally sensitive management practices in biodiversity rich areas. By paying a price premium, consumers can provide a market signal through their purchases to encourage producers to use less damaging management practices. This approach has been heavily promoted for a wide range of products from the Neotropics. These products are often the focus of sustainable development programs and highlight certification as a means for consumers to recognize the conservation value of the product. Recent research has shown significant benefits for biodiversity from less intensive extraction methods. While these results are a good basis for early optimism, they are not sufficient to ensure long-term conservation success. There is a growing scientific literature on how to monitor ecological integrity in conservation programs. This stronger scientific understanding suggests there are limitations to conservation in managed landscapes. This chapter reviews certification programs thus far proposed and implemented, focusing on shade-grown coffee as an example. Using birds, a highly visible and well-studied taxa, the scientific evidence is reviewed and compared with conservation goals. Based on available evidence, suggestions are made on how certification can enhance current conservation efforts and what research is still needed as programs develop. Overall, a general approach is proposed for monitoring and evaluating environmentally friendly certification programs that may give consumers not only confidence but also an awareness of how their purchase may contribute to conservation. kg]Key words © 2005 Springer.